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Romulus will be one of the five sites of a
preliminary spelling bee for seniors interest-
ed in competing in the Senior Spell Off July
16.
The preliminary event in Romulus will
take place at the Romulus Senior Center,
36525Bibbins onApril 9.
The top three spellers from each location
will move on to compete in the final round
which will take place in Brownstown
Township.
"It's inspiring to see our senior population
show off their spelling skills. It's a reminder
that while beautymay fade, knowledge is for-
ever," said Wayne County Executive Robert
Ficano. "The Spell Off for Seniors is by far
one of my favorite events that we host," he
added.
The final 18 participants will face off in a
single elimination-style spell off at the
Brownstown Senior Center, 21311 Telegraph
Road inBrownstown. The spell off will result
in the naming of a first place winner along
with second and thirdplace runner ups.
The Spell Off for Seniors is a free event
open to public spectators. The day will also
include a free lunch and a raffle-- for both
participants and spectators. Parties interest-
ed in attending are asked to call (313) 224-
0755 to reserve a spot at the event. The event
has several sponsors who are underwriting
the costs associatedwith the event.
A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
3
April 3, 2014
MINUTES OF REGULAR ROMULUS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 10, 2014
Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Rd. Romulus, MI 48174
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem, John Barden.
Roll Call
Present:
Kathleen Abdo, John Barden, Linda Choate, Sylvia Makowski, Celeste Roscoe, William Wadsworth.
Excused:
Harry Crout.
Administrative Officials in Attendance:
LeRoy D. Burcroff, Mayor
Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk
Stacy Paige, Treasurer
1.
Moved by Makowski, seconded by Choate to accept the Amended Agenda as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
14-088 2A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Abdo to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the
Romulus City Council held on March 3, 2014.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski,
Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Abstain
- Roscoe
Motion Carried
.
14-089 2B.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Abdo to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting (Study
Session)of the Romulus City Council held on March 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Goddard Road update
and Bonding Requirements.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Abstain
- Roscoe
Motion Carried
.
14-090 3A.
Petitioner - Special land use for PC-2014-002/003; Terra Contracting Outdoor Storage (6760
Metroplex) Petitioners Vaughn Martin of Wade Trim; Steve Minella of Terra Contracting Services and
Atty. Howard Goldman appeared before council to seek approval for special land use to construct a 159 ft x
120ft gravel outdoor storage facility located at 6760 Metroplex and gave an overview of the project.
Moved by Makowski , seconded by Roscoe to approve Special Land Use for PC-2014-002/003; Terra
Contracting Outdoor Storage (6760 Metroplex)
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski,
Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
4.Chairperson's Report:
Mayor Pro-Tem John Barden commented on the RHS Boys & Girls Varsity Basketball
teams and upcoming games.
4A.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Choate to accept the Chairperson's Report.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo,
Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
5. Mayor's Report:
Mayor Burcroff commented and thanked the DPW workers for their hard work regarding
the potholes in Romulus.
14-091 5A.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Makowski to adopt a resolution acknowledging the retirement of
Sharon Raftary, former IT Director.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe,
Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-092 5B.
Moved by Makowski, seconded by Abdo to adopt a resolution acknowledging the retirement of
Wiley Montgomery, DPW employee.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe,
Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-093 6A1.
Moved by Roscoe, seconded by Choate to approve two (2) study session requests from Finance
Director, Debra Hoffman for Monday, April 14, 2014 at 6:00pm and Monday, April 28, 2014 at 6:00 pm to dis-
cuss the proposed 2014-15 budget.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
14-094 6A2.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Abdo to approve a fifteen-minute study session request from
Fire Chief, David Allison for Monday, March 24, 2014 at 7:00pm to discuss the "Amended and Restated
Interlocal Agreement".
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-095 6A3.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Roscoe to approve a fifteen-minute study session request from City
Treasurer, Stacy Paige for Monday, March 24, 2014 at 7:15pm to discuss the City Quarterly Financial Report.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-096 6A4.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Roscoe to approve first reading of Amended Policies #'s:
13, Municipal Vehicle Use;
17, Benefit Administration - Non-Union, Non-Exempt Employee;
18, Benefit Administration- Executive, Exempt Employees;
22, Travel and Expense Allowance;
23, Worker's Compensation;
24, Medical Leave/Absences from Work for Medical Reasons;
25, Tuition Reimbursement;
In addition, introduction and first reading of new policy #32, Social Media.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo,
Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-097 6A5.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Makowski to approve first reading of the Amended Code of
Ethics, Romulus Code of Ordinances.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe,
Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-098 6A6.
Moved by Makowski, seconded by Choate to approve a one-hour study session request from
Cemetery Board Chairperson, Jan Lemmon, for March 24, 2014 at 5:00pm to discuss the Romulus Memorial
Cemetery.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-099 6A7. Moved by Abdo, seconded by Makowski to approve a one-hour study session request from Chief of
Staff, Robert Dickerson, for Monday, March 24, 2014 at 6:00pm to discuss a proposed Host Agreement.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
14-100 6A8.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Abdo to adopt a resolution for a 90-day Moratorium on approval of
requests for uses of parcels under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act by the Planning Commission or City
Council.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried Unanimously
.
7.
Public Comment: None.
8.
Unfinished Business
9.
New Business
10.
Communication
14-101 11.
Moved by Choate, seconded by Makowski to approve Warrant 14-05 in the amount of $741,512.99.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
12.
Moved by Wadsworth, seconded by Roscoe to adjourn the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council.
Roll Call Vote: Ayes
- Abdo, Barden, Choate, Makowski, Roscoe, Wadsworth.
Nays
- None.
Motion Carried
Unanimously
.
I, Ellen L. Craig-Bragg, Clerk for the City of Romulus, Michigan do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true
copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Romulus City Council held on March 10, 2014.
Publish; April 3, 2014
CITY OF ROMULUS
NOTICE
PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED FY 2014/2015 BUDGET
Notice is hereby given that Romulus City Council has scheduled a Public Hearing to be held Monday, May 5,
2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Romulus City Hall Council Chambers, 11111 Wayne Road, Romulus, Michigan 48174
for the purpose of discussing the FY 2014/2015 Budget, including
“The Property Tax Millage
Rate Proposed To Be Levied To Support The Proposed Budget Will
Be A Subject of This Hearing.”
Said Budget is available for inspection in the Clerk's Office,
Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Ellen l. Craig-Bragg, City Clerk of Romulus, MI
Publish; April 3, 2014
CITY OF ROMULUS
PUBLIC NOTICE
PRECINCT LOCATION CHANGE
You are hereby notified that the polling place for
Precinct #12
has been moved to a new location.
The new polling place for
Precinct #12
is located at:
ROMULUS ATHLETIC CENTER
35765 NORTHLINE ROAD
ROMULUS, MI 48174
Resolution #14-113 Adopted by Council at the regular Romulus City Council meeting held March 24, 2014
Ellen Craig-Bragg, City of Romulus
Publish; April 3, 2014
R
OMULUS
City service departments combined by mayor
Romulus to host preliminary spelling bee for seniors
The Department of Public
Works and the Department of
Public Service in Romulus will be
combined in an effort to improve
service and streamline costs in the
city. The new department will be
called the Department of Public
Service orDPS.
Mayor LeRoy D. Burcroff said
the changes are designed to
increase service, efficiency and
teamwork while streamlining costs
in the city government.
Burcroff named Robert
McCraight as the director of the
new department. McCraight will
retain his duties as director of
building and safety in the city. He
will continue to oversee all con-
struction and development in the
city while at the same time over-
seeing the day-to-day operations of
theDPW.
Burcroff promoted Roberto
Scappaticci to director of public
works, overseeing city utilities,
infrastructure improvement proj-
ects, facilities maintenance and
roadmaintenance.
The mayor said that Keith Boc
has been hired as part-time public
works assistant director.
“Customer service has been this
administration's number one prior-
ity since we took office in
November,” Burcroff said. “This is
all about building a good teamwith
good people. Our highbred depart-
ment of public services consoli-
dates departments and better uti-
lizes our existing resources. Our
talented DPS team has quality
leadership and expertise at the
top. I'mexcited about all of the pos-
sibilities going forward.”
McCraight, a native of Romulus
and graduate of Romulus High
School, studied energy technology
at Henry Ford Community College,
earned a license as a mechanical
contractor and served as an inde-
pendent licensed contractor before
joining the city staff 14 years ago.
He served as a mechanical
inspector, worked his way up to
assistant building and safety direc-
tor and then was promoted to
director of building and safety in
2008. He was promoted to interim
public services director at the end
of last year.
Scappaticci had an extensive
background in engineering, roads,
water, sewers and municipal
finance when he was hired by the
city 2 ½ years ago. He had more
than 11 years as a project manager
and project engineer for the
municipal engineering firm of
Orchard Hiltz and McCliment Inc.
of Livonia. The firm provides con-
sulting work for bodies of govern-
ment throughout Southeast
Michigan.
Scappaticci holds a bachelor's
degree in environmental science
from the University of Michigan-
Dearborn. He is administrator-cer-
tified as a storm water operation
by the Michigan Department of
Natural Resources and is certified
by the National Association of
Sewer Services Companies.
Boc has been appointed assis-
tant director on a part-time basis. A
Romulus native and Romulus
High School graduate and Air
Force veteran, Boc recently retired
as DPS director in Belleville,
where he worked for 28 years as a
DPW foreman, building official
(overseeing water and roads con-
struction) anddirector.
“I believe we have a lot of
untapped potential in our work-
force,” McCraight said. “I want to
give them the freedom to grow
within our department and our
city. Customer service is number
one as demonstrated by the
employees removing our snowfall
this winter. We're here as a team to
serve the residents of this city.
They pay taxes, so we're here to
take care of them.
months at VantagePort, which was formed
and expanded as a Wayne County-led push
for economic development and logistics
projects. VantagePort encompasses 60,000
acres around Detroit Metropolitan Airport
in Romulus and Willow Run Airport in
Ypsilanti, including land inRomulus, Huron
Township, Taylor, Van Buren Township,
Ypsilanti andYpsilanti Township.
Keyes was responsible for opening the
group's office, developing amarketing strate-
gy, implementing the plan and moving
VantagePort forward. He said much of the
work to datehas been conceptual.
“VantagePort is a point of pride for me,
but I missed my day-to-day, hands-on prod-
uct of work in Romulus, where I could have
significant impact on what does or doesn't
happen,” Keyes said. “I enjoy making a dif-
ference in the public sector. I'm eager to
return to local government life. This is a very
exciting opportunity.”
The Economic Development Department
includes the Planning Department,
Downtown Development Authority, the Tax
Increment Finance Authority, Community
Development andbeyond.
During his first stint with the city, Keyes'
department was responsible for creating the
state-of-the-art Romulus Athletic Center, the
Romulus Animal Shelter and the Romulus
Senior Center and oversaw such impactful
endeavors as the Merriman Road
Enhancement Project.
He helped attract to the city such major
manufacturers as Lee Steel and Detroit
Thermal System, among others, and was
involved in successful negotiations to keep
the General Motors Power Train plant in
Romulus.
Keyes represented the city on such organ-
izations as the Conference of Western
Wayne, the Downriver Community
Conference, the Southern Wayne County
Regional Chamber (SWCRC) and the
GreaterRomulus Chamber of Commerce.
In fact, he was the 2009 recipient of the
Image Award from the SWCRC. The award
recognizes an individual or business that
promotes a positive image of Southern
WayneCounty and the downriver region.
In 2012, under Keyes' leadership,
Romulus was named a five-star eCities com-
munity - the highest possible ranking - for its
work to foster entrepreneurial growth and
economic development in a study by
researchers at iLabs, University ofMichigan-
Dearborn's Center for InnovationResearch.
“The City of Romulus understands the
importance of economic development, busi-
ness attraction and retention, bringing jobs
to the community and residential growth,”
Burcroff said. “Economic development is
significant in a city's growth. Romulus is
open for business.”
Keyes
FROM PAGE 1
Mayor LeRoy D. Burcroff (left), Department of Public Services Director Robert McCraight, Department of Public
Works Director Roberto Scappaticci and DPW Assistant Director Keith Boc were all smiles after the consolida-
tion and promotions were announced.